India — A General Introduction — GK Questions with Answers

1. How many Indian states have a coastline? (IAS 2008)
   1. 7
   2. 8
   3. 9
   4. 10
   Show answer

   Answer: (C) 9

   Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal.

2. Consider (IAS 2006) — 1. Assam borders Bhutan and Bangladesh. 2. West Bengal borders Bhutan and Nepal. 3. Mizoram borders Bangladesh and Myanmar. Which are correct?
   1. 1, 2 and 3
   2. 1 and 2
   3. 2 and 3
   4. 1 and 3
   Show answer

   Answer: (A) 1, 2 and 3

   All three are correct; West Bengal also borders Bangladesh.

3. In which pair is the first state India’s eastern extreme and the second its western extreme? (IAS 2015)
   1. Assam and Rajasthan
   2. Arunachal Pradesh and Rajasthan
   3. Assam and Gujarat
   4. Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat
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   Answer: (D) Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat

   Eastern extreme Kibithu (Arunachal), western extreme Guhar Moti (Gujarat).

4. The "Ten Degree Channel" separates which islands? (IAS 2014)
   1. Andaman and Nicobar
   2. Nicobar and Sumatra
   3. Maldives and Lakshadweep
   4. Sumatra and Java
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   Answer: (A) Andaman and Nicobar

   The Great Channel lies between Nicobar and Sumatra.

5. Which of these capitals lie north of the Tropic of Cancer? 1. Kolkata 2. Agartala 3. Bhopal 4. Aizawl 5. Ranchi
   1. 1, 2 and 4
   2. 2 and 4
   3. 1, 3 and 5
   4. All
   Show answer

   Answer: (B) 2 and 4

   Agartala (≈ 23.8° N) and Aizawl (≈ 23.7° N) are north; Bhopal (≈ 23.26°) and Ranchi (≈ 23.34°) lie just south of the Tropic (≈ 23.44°).

6. Consider — 1. India has full sovereignty over its territorial sea. 2. India’s jurisdiction over the EEZ is complete and of every kind. Which is correct?
   1. Only 1
   2. Only 2
   3. Both 1 and 2
   4. Neither 1 nor 2
   Show answer

   Answer: (A) Only 1

   In the EEZ India has sovereign rights over resources only, not full jurisdiction.

7. Consider — 1. The water boundary between Great Nicobar and Sumatra (Indonesia) is the Great Channel. 2. The Coco Channel separates North Andaman from Myanmar’s Coco Islands. Which is correct?
   1. Only 1
   2. Only 2
   3. Both 1 and 2
   4. Neither 1 nor 2
   Show answer

   Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2

   Both statements are correct.

8. Which of these states / UTs share an international border with three countries? 1. Arunachal Pradesh 2. Sikkim 3. West Bengal 4. Tripura 5. Ladakh (as per the official map)
   1. 1, 2 and 4
   2. 1, 2, 3 and 5
   3. 1, 3 and 5
   4. All
   Show answer

   Answer: (B) 1, 2, 3 and 5

   Tripura borders only Bangladesh. (Before 2019 this question was asked for the state of Jammu & Kashmir.)

9. Which Indian state does NOT border Bhutan?
   1. Sikkim
   2. Meghalaya
   3. Arunachal Pradesh
   4. West Bengal
   Show answer

   Answer: (B) Meghalaya

   States on the Bhutan border — Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh.

10. Which is the correct ascending order (smallest first) by area?
    1. Brazil, Argentina, Australia, India
    2. Australia, Brazil, India, Argentina
    3. Argentina, India, Australia, Brazil
    4. India, Brazil, Argentina, Australia
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    Answer: (C) Argentina, India, Australia, Brazil

    Argentina ≈ 2.78 million, India ≈ 3.29 million, Australia ≈ 7.7 million, Brazil ≈ 8.5 million sq km.

11. India’s territorial sea extends how far from the baseline?
    1. 5 nautical miles
    2. 12 nautical miles
    3. 15 nautical miles
    4. 2 nautical miles
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) 12 nautical miles

    12 nautical miles ≈ 22.2 km.

12. Consider — 1. India’s northernmost point is Indira Col and southernmost Indira Point. 2. India lies between 8°4′ and 37°5′ N latitude and 69°7′ and 98°24′ E longitude. Which is/are NOT correct?
    1. Only 1
    2. Only 2
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Show answer

    Answer: (B) Only 2

    The correct extent is 8°4′–37°6′ N and 68°7′–97°25′ E.

13. Which of these states has the longest coastline?
    1. Gujarat
    2. Maharashtra
    3. Kerala
    4. Tamil Nadu
    Show answer

    Answer: (A) Gujarat

    Even in the new count Gujarat (2,340.62 km) leads; Tamil Nadu is second.

14. The Indian Standard Meridian (82°30′ E) does NOT pass through which state?
    1. Uttar Pradesh
    2. Chhattisgarh
    3. Jharkhand
    4. Odisha
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) Jharkhand

    The line crosses UP, MP, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Andhra — not Jharkhand.

15. What is India’s new coastline announced in 2025?
    1. 7,516.6 km
    2. 8,118 km
    3. 11,098.81 km
    4. 15,106.7 km
    Show answer

    Answer: (C) 11,098.81 km

    7,516.6 km is the old figure; 15,106.7 km is the land border.

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